Battlefields, Bush & Beach Safari Ÿ Can by customised

A unique safari itinerary taking in the highlights of a South Africa's exciting eastern sector: spectacular scenery, the fascinating history of the wars between British colonial forces and the mighty Zulu nation, unforgettable Big 5 safaris in lush African bush and ending in a pristine, subtropical beach holiday with warm waters, incredible snorkelling and scuba diving as well as cultural visits to the local tribal villages.

Scenery, history, culture, wildlife, endless beaches, this trip has it all in spades.

Days 1 & 2 :

You'll be met on arrival at King Shaka International Airport by a member of the team who will help you with collecting your hired vehicle and give you directions on how to find your lodging for the next two nights: Fugitives' Drift Lodge in a standard room with full board.

The lodge is close to the well-known Battlefields' sites of Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana where the British were defeated by fiece Zulu warriors. The area is rich with monuments, museums, memorabilia and historical artifacts. On the second day, you'll set off for a fascinating Battlefields half-day tour, choosing either the morning tour to Isandlwana or the afternoon tour to Rorke's Drift, both steeped in history.

Days 3 & 4:

After breakfast, you'll set off to renowned Phinda Private Game Reserve, within easy striking distance of iSimangaliso/Greater St Lucia Wetland Park in northern KwaZulu-Natal and not far from the sub-tropical eastern seaboard.

Phinda is famous for its plentiful wildlife, diverse habitats and superb choice of safari activities. It's more lush and green than many other South African game reserves by virtue of it being within the coastal rainfall region. It has seven distinct ecosystems which create a haven for a wide variety of wildlife, from the shy cheetah to the endangered black rhino and lesser-seen game like the tiny forest suni, one of the world's smallest antelope.

There are only six lodges in this 23,000-hectare wildlife haven and no day visitors are allowed, making for an unhurried, uncrowded safari experience in very scenic surrounds. You will spend two nights at either Phinda Mountain Lodge or Phinda Forest Lodge, including full board, soft drinks, local wines, spirits and beers, tea and coffee, emergency medical evacuation insurance, laundry and daily lodge activities. These include 2x-daily game drives in open 4WD safari vehicles, nature walks, excellent bird watching and riverboat cruises (seasonal).

Days 5, 6 & 7:

After your final Phinda breakfast, you will make your way to the pickup point, where you will be met by staff from Thonga Beach Lodge, who will take you to the lodge.

Set in the heart of the greater St Lucia Wetland Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site) the lodge is some 25 km north of Sodwana Bay, close to the Mozambique border. A sub-tropical beach paradise, Thonga offers vast stretches of pristine beaches, coastal forests and intricate lakes. Enjoy swimming in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean or incredible snorkelling and scuba diving off the coral reefs.

You' will spend three nights here in a forest room, including full board, tea and coffee and a range of selected activities. A pristine, underdeveloped beach on the Maputaland coast of KwaZulu-Natal, Mabibi is a subtropical ocean paradise. A magical place of unspoiled beaches, coastal forests, grasslands and shimmering lakes, its crystal-clear, warm waters offer leisurely swimming, amazing snorkelling on beautiful coral reefs and spectacular scuba diving.

Spend three nights in an ensuite forest room at Thonga Beach Lodge. Your stay includes accommodation, all meals, tea and coffee, as well as a selection of activities - explore rock pools, venture out in a sea kayak, go on guided walks through the magnificent coastal forests and discover the wealth of birds, insects and small creatures that inhabit this unspoiled coastline. Visits to a local community village can also be arranged.

Day 8:

After breakfast, you will be taken back to the central pick up point to collect your vehicle and make your way back to King Shaka International, a treasure-trove of new memories and experiences to take away with you.

This tour is based on self-drive between the lodges and will cost you between US$3000 and US$3750 per person sharing (based on exchange rates for April 2017) for the car hire, accommodation, meals and activities as specified. Road transfers can be arranged instead of self-drive if preferred.

Please talk to us about your particular preferences and which activities you'd like to include and we'll give you a comprehensive, fully detailed quotation. There are no hidden extras or unexpected surprises. Our quotations are surprisingly detailed and let you know exactly what's involved.

Featured PageSafari Travel Tips and Advice

Related FAQ's“
Can I take my children on safari?
”

Absolutely! Children are welcome on most of our safaris. However, if they are under eight years of age, we normally arrange an exclusive departure just for your group, so as not to inconvenience other guests, at an additional cost. We have some great options and destinations for family-friendly safaris - as well as some fantastic malaria-free safari destinations in southern and East Africa.

Each lodge has its own child policy. Some lodges accept children under 12 years old: others only accept children above a certain age. Some lodges offer discounts for children, others don't.

On our own Kruger Park safaris, we normally offer discounts for children up to 11 years old. Sanparks considers children age 12 and older as full paying adults. Please ask us about specific conditions and discounts for children for whichever lodge or safari you are interested in.

Some lodges actively welcome children, with dedicated educational and entertainment activity programmes. This can range from making their own pizzas to guided bush walks with experienced rangers to explore the tracks, secret hideouts and smaller creatures of the wild, educational videos, gift activity bags and so on.

Please let us know the ages and interests of your children and we'll gladly suggest places where we know they'll enjoy their safari as much as you will enjoy yours.

[Important: If you are travelling with minor children (under 18) you will also need to provide:

Unabridged birth certificate of each child (showing both parents' details)

Proof of guardianship/custody

Consent from the guardian in the case of an unaccompanied minor

This information is correct as of June 2018. Please contact us for the most up-to-date info as these rules do change.]

Featured Accommodation

Phinda Mountain Lodge

Closed Mid-Jan to end June 2019 for refurb.

With its prime position on the crest of a mountain, Phinda Mountain Lodge is known for its incredible views out over the scenic and game-rich Phinda Private Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal in north-eastern South Africa. Enjoy 24/7 game watching from the main lodge's viewing decks or your very own private veranda. Plus there's a variety of game activities to make sure you have an unforgettable safari experience.

Featured Accommodation

Phinda Forest Lodge

Phinda Forest Lodge is located in the northern sector of the 60,000-acre Phinda Private Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Set deep in the heart of a dry sand forest, this award-winning lodge offers 16 luxury suites and superb game viewing. The various habitats ensure a wide variety of game, from the plains-loving cheetah to the shy forest-dwellers and magnificent nyala antelope.

Featured Accommodation

Thonga Beach Lodge

Thonga Beach Lodge is a luxurious lodge set on the pristine shores of the Maputuland coast in northern KwaZulu-Natal, on South Africa's east coat. Private, exclusive and remote, with only 12 spacious thatched suites, the lodge is metres from the unspoilt wilderness beaches of Mabibi, with easy access to some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving in southern Africa.